Shreve numbers tell the story of area's development

Monday

Jul 9, 2012 at 4:00 AM

By Paul Locher Staff Writer

CLINTON TWP. -- In 1848, D.K. Jones was appointed postmaster and moved the old post office from Shreve's Mill to Centerville, and in 1853 it was moved to Clinton Station. In 1849, the receipts amounted to about $20 per quarter.

"About 1855, our village commenced growing and it became necessary to have schools and churches," recalled Jones.

"I think in the year of 1856 the members and outsiders of the Disciple Church held a meeting at James Moore's to consult with one another about building a Disciple Church. At that time the church was very strong and rich, but the party quarreled about whether it should be brick or frame, and the matter fell through then."

Jones recalled, "About 1857 Dr. Battles, W.H. Keys and D.K. Jones met one evening at Dr. Battles' office and had a talk in regard to building an M.E. (Methodist Episcopal) church. We appointed another meeting at which we drew up a subscription paper and went to work immediately, and the church was built. The Disciples," he continued, "then agitated the question of building a church in town.

"One day in the winter of '58, Mr. John Harper, a good old farmer and member of the Disciple Church, was in this writer's office. I told him we had better have a meeting now for that purpose and in five minutes after I wrote the first subscription paper, Harper signed first. We appointed Thomas Shreve, Isaac Hughes and John Harper trustees, and in one month they had the money raised. The trustees met and decided to erect the church."

By 1856, the community needed a school, and Jones again led the effort.

"Up to this time," he wrote, "those north of the railroad went to Buckeye, and those south went to Beall's. We petitioned for a new district and sent one delegate, Dr. Battles, several times, but without success. In the spring of '59 I drew a declaration of independence, declaring us free and independent and pledging ourselves not send our children to either of the other schools, and it was signed by many of our citizens. We then petitioned the commissioners to incorporate the village under the 200 act, which required 50 legal voters, and we were incorporated Dec. 26, 1859."

The village was incorporated in 1860 with a population of 234, and by October of 1872 the population of Shreve stood at 643 people, with 138 adult males, 127 minor males, 156 adult females and 122 minor females, of which 47 were unmarried women. There also were 14 unmarried men.

In addition, there were 108 dwellings, 57 stables, 24 mechanic shops, two flour mills, one sawmill and planing mill, one printing office, three churches and two hotels. Shreve was there to stay.

Source: "There's No Place Like Home / Shreve, Ohio, USA 1853-2003" by the County Line Historical Society of Wayne and Holmes Counties

Tuesday: Reminiscences of early Clinton Township

Reporter Paul Locher can be reached at 330-682-2055 or plocher@the-daily-record.com.